Informational Reading 2
This reading can be given before students begin working on Part 3 “the twist.” This
article gives students an overview of coral reefs and why they are important to protect.
Information about Coral Reefs
From NOAA: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/oceans/corals/
Five Things You Shoul
d Know About Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are some of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
Did you know that, per unit area, coral reefs support more species than
any other marine environment? Reefs also rival rainforests in the
amount of biodiversity they support. Thousands of creatures rely on
coral reefs for their survival. Hidden beneath the ocean waters, reefs are
also some of the oldest ecosystems on the planet, reflecting thousands
of years of history. Although individual coral polyps are tiny, they create
the largest living structures on earth—some reefs are visible from
space!
Healthy coral reefs are valuable to you.
Did you know that approximately 500 million people worldwide depend
upon reefs? In fact, 30 million are virtually totally dependent upon reefs.
Coral ecosystems are a source of food for millions; protect coastlines
from storms and erosion; provide habitat, spawning and nursery
grounds for economically important fish species; provide jobs and
income to local economies from fishing, recreation, and tourism; are a
source of new medicines, and are hotspots of marine biodiversity. These
values contribute approximately $29.8 billion to world economies each
year. Continued decline of reefs will have alarming consequences for
people worldwide.
Humanity's actions are threatening coral’s survival.
An estimated 20 percent of the world’s reefs are damaged beyond
recovery and about half of the remaining coral reefs are under risk of
collapse. The top threats to coral reefs—climate change, unsustainable
fishing, and land-based pollution—are all due to human activities.
These threats—combined with other threats like coral disease; tropical
storms; tourism and recreation; vessel damage; marine debris, and
aquatic invasive species—compound upon each other, sometimes
making conservation efforts more difficult.
NOAA is working to conserve coral reefs around the world.
Through the activities of the Coral Reef Conservation Program, NOAA is
doing its part to address key threats to reefs. In order to manage and
protect coral reef ecosystems, NOAA conducts research, coral mapping
and monitoring activities, and uses a variety of coral conservation tools.
This program also serves as the Secretariat for the U.S. Coral Reef Task
Force, a body of twelve federal agencies and seven states and territories
that are responsible for preserving and protecting reefs around the
country. Both of these groups also work to protect international reefs
since reef ecosystems are not limited by international boundaries.
You can help conserve coral reefs, too!
Even if you don’t live near a coral reef, you can still have an impact on
them. Awareness is a big step towards changing behaviors that
threaten reefs, and ensuring your impact on reefs is a positive
one. Therefore, we all need to be aware of the importance of,
and threats to, coral reefs. Visit NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation
Program Web site to learn about some of the actions—both little and
big—that you can take to help conserve coral reefs. You will find that
even small changes in your daily routine can make a difference.